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I sent this letter to them today:

To whomever is listening (or pretending to be),

We have been owners since 1990. First through Peppertree, then Fairfield, then Wyndham, then Equivest and now the greatest curse of all -- Festiva. Do I sound disgusted??? You have no idea.

We switched from the fixed-week plan to the points plan when the company was sold to Equivest. We thought this would allow us the flexibility to take vacation time at our convenience and not when it was dictated by our fixed plan. We even bought additional points to be sure that as we grew older and into retirement, we could enjoy our leisure time when we wanted, whether it meant taking a three-day weekend, five days or a full week. This worked well under Equivest, even though I was not happy about the booking fees. But we got around that by pre-planning and booking all of our time with one phone call. We encountered no problems with Equivest. Ever.

Then entered Festiva. Why couldn't you all have left Equivest alone? I THOUGHT this was supposed to be a better company - no booking fees, additional properties under the Festiva umbrella, ease of online reservations and all that other *** we had to sit and listen to. "Want a long weekend? Just call us 45 days in advance for reservations at any Festiva property." That's the biggest line of bull you've ever told. Today, Once again, I called EXACTLY 45 days in advance of my planned reservation date, having MARKED IT ON MY CALENDAR SO I WOULDN'T BE LATE, only to be told - AS USUAL - "I'm sorry, there's nothing available for those dates." How the *** can the entire Peppertree Atlantic Beach property be booked to the hilt the first weekend in DECEMBER???? REALLY??? And then she goes on to tell me that Festiva doesn't own all the units. Travelocity owns some, Expedia owns some, blah, blah, blah. WELL WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE OWNED UNITS BEFORE THERE EVER WAS A "FESTIVA"??? Who's looking out for US??? This is the FIFTH time since June that I've tried to get a three-day weekend from Virginia to Myrtle Beach, calling 45 days in advance as I was told, only to be told the SAME *** thing each and every time. Then she has the nerve to tell me that if it wasn't for the other companies owning units with all the money they invest, the maintenance on the properties would go to pot. WE'RE paying you thieves over $1100.00 EVERY year for maintenance. Where do you get off trying to make me feel GRATEFUL that so many other companies are invested in your properties now?? What about those of us who helped build all those units with our maintenance fees from 20 years ago? So then she tells me, "Your best bet would be to book a full week at the beginning of the year." IF I WANTED TO TAKE A FULL WEEK I WOULD HAVE KEPT THE *** FIXED WEEK WE HAD TO START WITH.

And when I finally do get a reservation -- NEVER the weekend that I want, mind you -- before my suitcase hits the floor one of your reps is calling wanting us to sit through an "owner's presentation, so we can bring you up to date on all the exciting things happening at Festiva." There's not a *** thing that I want to hear from you anymore. And do you actually think I would recommend Festiva to anyone I know or give you the names of family and friends so you can contact them??? WHEN *** FREEZES OVER. I wouldn't insult my worst enemy with a Festiva recommendation. When we were at Peppertree Atlantic Beach in mid-September, AFTER the summer season and NOT the weekend I wanted by the way, having settled for second best AGAIN, I rode and counted the cars on the property. 68. SIXTY-EIGHT. There are over 600 units on that property. So I called the reservation desk again and facetiously asked if I could get a last-minute reservation at Peppertree Atlantic Beach. "Nope, sorry, all full up! But you can probably call Travelocity and PAY for a three-day weekend." Give me a break.

Well, how about I give you all a break. After 20 years, I plan to sell my Festiva membership as fast as I can dump it. Half-price, quarter-price, I don't even care.

Please feel free to share my comments with ANYONE; because I plan to share them with EVERYONE.

Location: Cary, North Carolina

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Nandini Kjx

We all need to try to GET OUT of this SCAM !!!

Guest

There is NO WAY anyone reading this would miss the frustration and disappointment. Appears the writer actually tried to follow all the "new" rules and was treated badly.

Badly, just like virtually every Time Share has chosen to apply to existing owners. Totally amazing to me that there remains anyone in America who doesn't know this is the worst possible hole to dump money. The term "money pit" comes to mind. IMO, a revolution is coming since there are far too many disillusioned with the reality of ownership after accepting the "sales pitch" to be true.

One hope. Perhaps the increased value of properties will make it more profitable for the REAL owners to simply sell and THEN we, the chumps might get a couple of bucks.

Guest

Totally agree with pissed off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guest

I totally agree with the writer of this letter. My husband and I own 9000 points with Festiva.

We haven't been able to use these points for 2 years because all resorts " ARE FULL". Then if I go to find other accommodations, especially in Atlantic Beach NC, the resort shows up on list of available places that we can make a reservation all of which charge high rates.

What does Festiva think that I am going to stay and pay AGAIN? NO Way!

Guest

I bought my timeshare in 2004 with Celebration Resort. My plan with Celebration World Resort was 33,300.

points and one week in September. When Festive take it over they remove my one week a year and change my points to 3,300 point. When I ask why I was told Celebration calculate my points wrong and a don't have any week vacation a year. Unable to find my contract with Celebration so I call to a copy of my first contract.

The copy they sent me was different for the first contract and I signed it with realizing the difference. I has to accept it

Guest

They LIED to us too. They stink.

We are getting out of ours through Wesley Financial.....(by paying them MORE money).

I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. I would stand up to say if their lips are moving...they are lying to you.

Kadee Hzo

I have had the same problem with them. They gave me a free week when we signed up (knowing full well we shouldn't have fallen for it).

We had a year to use the "free" week and there was no availability at all at ANY resort they offered on their list for that free week. I still have the certificate from 4 years ago.

We are now consulting a firm to help us get out of our timeshare. I will be more careful with that process!

Festiva

We are sorry to hear that you have been so dissatisfied with your Festiva experience. Having read over your complaint we wanted to take the opportunity to address some of the grievances you have laid out.

It seems as though your primary dissatisfaction is that you are having difficulty making reservations. While we would love to be able to accommodate every memberโ€™s individual needs when it comes to booking vacations, sometimes we are simply unable to do so due to inventory constraints. You mention in your review that when your week was managed by Equivest that you would pre-plan and book your desired weeks well in advance. We recommend doing the same with us whenever possible.

This will drastically increase your chances of successfully booking your desired week and resort. In fact, we also recommend calling your member services department at 1-86*-***-**** to discuss the best strategies for booking to further increase the likelihood of getting the reservations you want. As far as booking 45 days in advance, it seems there may be some confusion. For those who book 45 days out or less at a Festiva property, there is a 50% discount in the number of points required to book.

Furthermore, for those who book between 90 and 45 days out, there is a 25% discount. This does not mean, however, that there will be availability at your preferred resort within those booking windows. Usually, openings within those windows are because of last-minute cancelations or off-season weeks which, of course, will vary by resort. Again, we always recommend reaching out to member services to speak with a representative who can discuss with you, the weeks and resorts that you would like to book and explore the best plans to do so.

We hope that this helps clear up any confusion and helps to improve your Festiva experience moving forward. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call 1-86*-***-**** or email memberservices@***.com to get in touch with one of our team members.

CarolinaBeachBum L
reply icon Replying to comment of Festiva

I am not at all confused by Festiva's procedures. I've been an owner for 35 years.

Please don't patronize me. The bottom line is that most owners choose points so that we won't have to use a week at a time and we can take last minute trips at our leisure. This is no longer possible because owners have become secondary to renters.

We're not idiots. Just patiently waiting for what's inevitable for most time share companies.

CarolinaBeachBum L

Dear Festiva, I wrote that original letter. I wrote it eight years ago.

To date, there have been 59 comments, all saying the same thing over the course of eight years. And you've responded 59 times, telling us the same thing. Based on the most recent comment just 19 hours ago, nothing has changed in eight years. What does that say about our dissatisfaction as consumers?

But more importantly, what does that say about Festiva as a company? NOTHING HAS CHANGED TO BENEFIT THE OWNERS.

Guest

Dear Sir, I have had the same experiences over and over (Cary,NC). I am very disgusted and would sell immediately if someone would make me an offer. Pembroke, NC

Festiva
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1750382

We are very sorry to hear that you are unsatisfied with your experience with Festiva. We would love the opportunity to correct any issues you have had with us in the past.

If you are interested in exploring possible options, please call your member service department at 1-86*-***-**** or email them at memberservices@***.com.

Someone there will be able to go over any problems you have and begin the process of fixing them. We hope to hear from you soon!

Guest

ITS VERY CHALLENGING - when you log in under cash and there is availability but under point nothing - I feel your frustration...

Festiva
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1667366

We are sad to hear that you have been frustrated by your attempts to book using your Adventure Club points. Have you tried contacting member services?

Someone there can certainly help you establish the best way to utilize your membership so that you can get the reservations you want using your points. Just tell them you are looking for pointers on how and when to book at specific locations and someone can give you the information you are looking for.

They can be reached at 1-86*-***-**** and are available during the hours listed below. Eastern Standard Time Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Sunday Closed

Guest

Well said. I agree completely. This has been our experience with our FESTIVA point membership, exactly.

Festiva
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1664560

We are sorry to hear that you too have experienced some frustrations with Festiva recently. Of course, we would love to be able to accommodate all of our owners all of the time, but unfortunately, there are only so many units available at each of our locations.

If you call into member services you should be able to speak with someone who can help you figure out the best strategy to get the week you want at the location you want.

The number for the member service department is 1-66-933-****. Alternatively, if you would like to have one our team members reach out to you directly, just send us an email at inquires@***.com with either an owner ID or a contract ID and the best way to reach you and we would be happy to have someone contact you.

Guest

Still the same run around when booking. Even full weeks are hard to come by these days as they have started giving those to Expedia and the likes...So disappointed in Festiva.

Festiva
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1661794

We are very sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time making reservations. Of course, availability depends on the location you are trying to book at as well as the time of year.

For example, the summer weeks at our beachside resorts get reserved rather quickly. We try our best to make as many units available for our members but unfortunately, there are a limited number at each of our locations. We suggest giving member services a call.

Someone there will be able to work with you and help explain the best strategies to use to ensure you get the week you want, at the resort you want, so you can have an amazing vacation! Their number is 1-86*-***-**** and they are available to assist you during the following hours (Eastern Time), Monday: - Thursday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Sunday: Closed Happy Travels!

Guest

We have been a timeshare owner with Festiva since 2010 and have never been able to use because time we requested is never available. So ready to get rid of this time share

Festiva
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1638859

Good Evening, We are very sorry that you have had a negative experience with Festiva. We try very hard to ensure that our members are getting the most out of their memberships.

We recently had our member service team try to contact you via the phone number and email we have on file but were unsuccessful in reaching you. If you would like to get in touch with us, please feel free to call 1-86*-***-****. A team member will be able to help you and answer any and all questions you may have.

They are available 8:00 AM- 6:00 PM EST Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM- 5:30 PM EST on Friday, and 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM EST on Saturdays. Happy Travels!

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